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Lemon Law Letter: Notice to Manufacturer Generator

Last verified By the LemonLawMap Editorial Team Sources

The short answer

In 38 of the 50 verified states, written notice to the manufacturer is part of the lemon law process, usually with a final chance to repair. Fill in the form and the generator writes a letter with your vehicle, defect, repair history and your state’s legal citation. Print it, sign it and mail it with proof of delivery.

The notice letter is the step owners most often skip, and in several states skipping it means the presumption never applies, however many repairs the car has had. The letter also starts the manufacturer’s final repair chance, which in some states is the last step before a refund or replacement.

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Written notice rules by state


Written notice to the manufacturer in the 50 verified states
            
StateNotice ruleHow to send it

            
AlabamaCertified-mail notice; final attempt (§§ 8-20A-1(7), 8-20A-3(a))Certified U.S. mail
AlaskaCertified-mail demand to maker and dealer (AS 45.45.310)Certified mail
ArizonaRequired before the presumption (§ 44-1264(C))Certified mail, return receipt requested
ArkansasFinal-repair letter (3-repair and safety tests) (Arkansas AG guide, p. 5)Certified or registered mail
CaliforniaIf disclosed in the warranty (§ 1793.22(b)(3))Trackable mail with proof of delivery
ColoradoCertified mail; 10 business days to cure (C.R.S. 42-10-103(2)(c))Certified mail
ConnecticutOnly if the warranty requires it (C.G.S. § 42-179(c), (e)(3))Mail or e-mail, as the DCP guide describes
DelawareDirect written notice (§ 5004(b))Certified mail, return receipt requested
District of ColumbiaReport to maker or dealer (D.C. Code § 50-502(a), (f))Certified mail, return receipt requested
FloridaBefore the presumption (§ 681.104(1))Trackable mail with proof of delivery
GeorgiaFinal repair notice required (Georgia CPD, Step 2)Certified mail, return receipt requested, or overnight delivery
HawaiiWritten report to the maker (HRS § 481I-3(a), (d), (h))Certified mail, return receipt requested
IdahoWritten notice at least once (§ 48-903(5))Certified mail, return receipt requested
IllinoisRequired before the presumption (815 ILCS 380/3(h))Certified mail, return receipt requested
IndianaIf the warranty requires it (Indiana AG guide)Certified mail, return receipt requested
IowaFinal-attempt notice (3 repairs or 1 safety) (Iowa Code § 322G.4(1))Certified or registered mail, or overnight service
KansasManufacturer must have actual notice (K.S.A. 50-645(d))Certified mail, return receipt requested
KentuckyWritten report to the maker (KRS 367.842(1))Certified mail, return receipt requested
LouisianaReport to maker or dealer (R.S. 51:1942, 51:1943(A)(2))Certified mail, return receipt requested
MaineWritten request; 7-day final repair (10 M.R.S. § 1163(3-A), (6), (6-A))Certified mail, return receipt requested
MarylandCertified mail; 30 days to repair (Com. Law § 14-1502(b))Certified mail, return receipt requested
MassachusettsNot required before arbitration (§ 7N½(4), (5))Certified mail, return receipt requested
MichiganReturn receipt after 3rd repair (MCL 257.1403(5))Return receipt service
MinnesotaWritten notice at least once (subd. 3(e))Certified mail, return receipt requested
MississippiWritten notice; 10 working days (§ 63-17-159(5))Certified mail, return receipt requested
MissouriRequired; 10-day final repair (§ 407.573.2)Certified mail, return receipt requested
MontanaWritten notice to the maker (MCA 61-4-502)Certified mail, return receipt requested
NebraskaCertified-mail notice (§ 60-2704)Certified mail
NevadaWritten report to the maker (NRS 597.610)Certified mail, return receipt requested
New HampshireNotice form; elect board or maker program (RSA 357-D:4(I), 357-D:3(VIII))The manufacturer’s notice form, by certified mail
New JerseyCertified final-chance letter (NJ consumer brief)Certified mail, return receipt requested
New MexicoDirect written notice (§ 57-16A-3(C))Certified mail, return receipt requested
New YorkReport within 18,000 mi / 2 yrs (§ 198-a(b))Certified mail, return receipt requested
North CarolinaWritten notice; up to 15 days to fix (G.S. 20-351.5(a), 20-351.7)Certified mail, return receipt requested
North DakotaDirect notice to the maker (N.D.C.C. § 51-07-19(3))Certified mail, return receipt requested
OhioReport within 1 yr / 18,000 mi (§ 1345.72(A))Certified mail, return receipt requested
OklahomaDirect written notice (15 O.S. § 901(B), (C))Certified mail, return receipt requested
OregonDirect written notice (ORS 646A.402(3), 646A.406(4))Certified mail, return receipt requested
PennsylvaniaContact the zone representative (PennDOT and PA Attorney General guides)Certified mail, return receipt requested
Rhode IslandReport in the term; 7-day final cure (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-5.2-2, 31-5.2-5)Certified mail, return receipt requested
South CarolinaWritten notice for final repair (§ 56-28-50(B), (E))Registered, certified or express mail
South DakotaCertified-mail notice; final attempt (SDCL 32-6D-1(8), 32-6D-6)Certified mail
TexasBefore a buyback order (§ 2301.606(c))Trackable mail with proof of delivery
UtahReport to maker or dealer (Utah Code §§ 13-20-3, 13-20-6)Certified mail, return receipt requested
VermontNotice form; elect board or maker program (9 V.S.A. § 4173(a))The manufacturer’s notice form
VirginiaWritten notice; 15-day final chance (§ 59.1-207.13(C)–(E))Certified mail, return receipt requested
WashingtonWritten request; 40 days to act (RCW 19.118.041(1))Certified mail, return receipt requested
West VirginiaWritten notice; 1 chance to cure (§ 46A-6A-5(c), 46A-6A-6)Certified mail, return receipt requested
WisconsinDOT election form (§ 218.0171(2)(b), (c), (8))Certified mail, return receipt requested
WyomingDirect written notice (Wyo. Stat. § 40-17-101(h))Certified mail, return receipt requested

        


        

          
What to put in a lemon law letter


    
            
  • Your name, address, phone number and the date.
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  • The vehicle year, make, model and VIN, the delivery date and the current mileage.
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  • A plain description of the defect and how it affects use, value or safety.
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  • Every repair visit, with the date, mileage, dealer and what was done.
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  • What you are asking for: a final repair, or a refund or replacement under your state’s law.
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  • A list of the copies you enclose, such as repair orders and the purchase contract.
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The generator fills in each of these from your answers and adds your state’s citation.

        


        

          
How to send your lemon law letter


    
            
  1. Send it to the manufacturer, not the dealer, at the address in your warranty booklet or owner’s manual.
    2. 
            
  2. Use the mailing method your state names, shown in the table above. Certified mail with return receipt is the most common.
    3. 
            
  3. Enclose copies of your repair orders and purchase or lease contract. Keep the originals.
    4. 
            
  4. Keep a copy of the signed letter and the mailing receipt with your records.
    5. 
            
  5. Take the car where the manufacturer directs for the final repair, and get a repair order.
    6. 
          

        


        

          
Frequently asked questions

          
Do I need to send a letter to the manufacturer for lemon law?
In 38 of the 50 verified states, yes, at some point in the process. In others, such as Ohio and New York, it is not required by the lemon law itself but is still a good record. California requires it for two tests only if the manufacturer disclosed the rule.


Should I send the lemon law letter to the dealer?
No. Send it to the manufacturer at the address in your warranty booklet or owner’s manual. You can give the dealer a copy, but the manufacturer must receive the notice.


What should a lemon law demand letter include?
Your name and contact details, the vehicle year, make, model and VIN, the delivery date, a clear description of the defect, every repair attempt with dates and mileage, what you are asking for, and copies of your repair orders.


Is there an official form instead of a letter?
Some states have one. Florida has the Motor Vehicle Defect Notification Form, Georgia has the Final Repair Opportunity Notice (Form A), and Wisconsin has a Department of Transportation form. The state guides link to each.

        


        

          
Sources

          
Checked on October 13, 2026. Read how we verify every rule in our editorial policy.

          
    
            
  1. Alabama: Ala. Code §§ 8-20A-1 to 8-20A-6
    2. 
            
  2. Alaska: Alaska Stat. §§ 45.45.300–45.45.360
    3. 
            
  3. Arizona: Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 44-1261 to 44-1265
    4. 
            
  4. Arkansas: Act 297 of 1993
    5. 
            
  5. California: Cal. Civ. Code § 1790 et seq.; Tanner Act, § 1793.22
    6. 
            
  6. Colorado: C.R.S. §§ 42-10-101 to 42-10-110 (as amended by SB 24-192)
    7. 
            
  7. Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-179 to 42-190
    8. 
            
  8. Delaware: 6 Del. C. §§ 5001–5009
    9. 
            
  9. District of Columbia: D.C. Code §§ 50-501 to 50-509
    10. 
            
  10. Florida: Fla. Stat. ch. 681
    11. 
            
  11. Georgia: O.C.G.A. § 10-1-780 et seq.
    12. 
            
  12. Hawaii: Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 481I
    13. 
            
  13. Idaho: Idaho Code §§ 48-901 to 48-913
    14. 
            
  14. Illinois: 815 ILCS 380
    15. 
            
  15. Indiana: Ind. Code § 24-5-13
    16. 
            
  16. Iowa: Iowa Code ch. 322G
    17. 
            
  17. Kansas: K.S.A. 50-645, 50-646
    18. 
            
  18. Kentucky: KRS 367.840 to 367.846; 367.860 to 367.870
    19. 
            
  19. Louisiana: La. R.S. 51:1941–1948
    20. 
            
  20. Maine: 10 M.R.S. §§ 1161–1169
    21. 
            
  21. Maryland: Md. Code, Com. Law § 14-1501 et seq.
    22. 
            
  22. Massachusetts: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 7N½
    23. 
            
  23. Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 257.1401–257.1410
    24. 
            
  24. Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 325F.665
    25. 
            
  25. Mississippi: Miss. Code §§ 63-17-151 to 63-17-165
    26. 
            
  26. Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 407.560–407.579
    27. 
            
  27. Montana: Mont. Code Ann. §§ 61-4-501 to 61-4-533
    28. 
            
  28. Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-2701 to 60-2709
    29. 
            
  29. Nevada: NRS 597.600 to 597.688
    30. 
            
  30. New Hampshire: N.H. RSA 357-D:1 to 357-D:12
    31. 
            
  31. New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 56:12-29 et seq.
    32. 
            
  32. New Mexico: NMSA 1978 §§ 57-16A-1 to 57-16A-9
    33. 
            
  33. New York: N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 198-a
    34. 
            
  34. North Carolina: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-351 to 20-351.10
    35. 
            
  35. North Dakota: N.D. Cent. Code §§ 51-07-16 to 51-07-22
    36. 
            
  36. Ohio: Ohio Rev. Code §§ 1345.71–1345.78
    37. 
            
  37. Oklahoma: 15 Okla. Stat. §§ 901, 901.1
    38. 
            
  38. Oregon: ORS 646A.400 to 646A.418
    39. 
            
  39. Pennsylvania: 73 P.S. § 1951 et seq. (Act 28 of 1984)
    40. 
            
  40. Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-5.2-1 to 31-5.2-14
    41. 
            
  41. South Carolina: S.C. Code §§ 56-28-10 to 56-28-110
    42. 
            
  42. South Dakota: S.D. Codified Laws §§ 32-6D-1 to 32-6D-11
    43. 
            
  43. Texas: Tex. Occ. Code ch. 2301, subch. M
    44. 
            
  44. Utah: Utah Code §§ 13-20-1 to 13-20-8
    45. 
            
  45. Vermont: 9 V.S.A. §§ 4170–4181
    46. 
            
  46. Virginia: Va. Code §§ 59.1-207.9 to 59.1-207.16:1
    47. 
            
  47. Washington: Rev. Code Wash. ch. 19.118
    48. 
            
  48. West Virginia: W. Va. Code §§ 46A-6A-1 to 46A-6A-9
    49. 
            
  49. Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. § 218.0171
    50. 
            
  50. Wyoming: Wyo. Stat. § 40-17-101
    51. 
          

        

      

    

  

  

    

      
      

        
Written notice to the manufacturer
Why notice matters and when to send it.
Read the guide 
        
Repair Records Checklist
Gather the copies to enclose.
Open the tool 
        
How to file in Florida
Notice form and arbitration steps.
Read the guide 
        
How to file in Texas
From notice to TxDMV hearing.
Read the guide 
      

    

  






  

    
    
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